null
US
Sign In
Sign Up for Free
Sign Up
We have detected that Javascript is not enabled in your browser. The dynamic nature of our site means that Javascript must be enabled to function properly. Please read our
terms and conditions
for more information.
Next up
Copy and Edit
You need to log in to complete this action!
Register for Free
3710523
The Collapse of Communism
Description
GCSE History Mind Map on The Collapse of Communism, created by Henry Selvester on 08/10/2015.
No tags specified
history
gcse
Mind Map by
Henry Selvester
, updated more than 1 year ago
More
Less
Created by
jacksearle
over 8 years ago
Copied by
Henry Selvester
over 8 years ago
1
0
0
Resource summary
The Collapse of Communism
Gorbachev's final reforms
During final years of 80s - G extended perestroika
Introduced greater decentralisation in the economy and elements of choice in Soviet elections
Most significant change - official abandonment of Brezhnev Doctrine - during 88-89
Led to collapse of communism across Eastern Europe
Fall of the Berlin Wall
Poland + Hungary were first countries to test the end of the Brezhnev Doctrine
In Hungary - govt opened its borders with the West - allowing East German citizens to travel via Hungary to West Germany
In September alone - 10,000 East Germans made the trip to the West
Consequently - East G govt agreed to open Checkpoint Charlie
Berliners from both side flocked to wall and began to tear it down
Fall of Berlin wall became symbolic end of the Cold War - the end of a divided Europe - a clear victory for people power
The Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe 1989 - 1991
East Germany
Fall of Berlin wall in 1989 - brought East G's comm govt to an end
Elections held in March 1990 - Germany reunited in October 1990
Czechoslovakia
November 1989 - Velvet Revolution - handed power peacefully to a democratically elected govt
Hungary
Jan 1989 - Comm party announced multi-party elections with Gorbchev's approval
First democratic govt was elected in April 1990
Yugoslavia
During 1990 - nationalist groups in 6 major regions won democratic elections - leading to break up of Yugoslavia
Romania
Romanian dictator - Ceausescu - overthrown on Christmas day 1989
Bulgaria
Free elections held in June 1990
Albania
Free elections held March 1991
Poland
Following wave of strikes in 1988 - comm govt forced to negotiate with Solidarity
By Sept 1989 - Poland had non comm Prime Minister
Significantly - after end of the Brezhnev Doctrine - G did nothing to challenge fall of communism in Poland
This prompted change across Europe
Gorbachev's Role in the collapse of communism
Initially - G played permissive role by abandoning the B doctrine and announcing that each comm country should 'find its own path to socialism'
By saying this, he implied that East European countries should work towards communism, but be free of Russian influence
However - once freed of Russian influence - communism quickly collapsed
During 1989 - G became more radical - actively encouraging comm govts to negotiate with opposition groups
Even advised East German govt to open its border with West
US role in the collapse of Communism
During 89 - new President George Bush welcomed the changes in East Europe
Was praised for his tact and for not gloating as the USSR began to collapse
The fall of the USSR
Neither Bush nor Gorbachev actively tried to break up the USSR
Nonetheless - nationalist movements in the Soviet republics followed the example of countries from the Eastern Bloc - moved towards independence
To prevent the break up of the USSR - comm hard-liners staged a coup in August 1991 - temporarily removing G from power
Coup failed - and so did G's attempt to hold the USSR together
Gorbachev resigned on 25 December 1991 - USSR ceased to exist a day later
Show full summary
Hide full summary
Want to create your own
Mind Maps
for
free
with GoConqr?
Learn more
.
Similar
Weimar Revision
Tom Mitchell
Hitler and the Nazi Party (1919-23)
Adam Collinge
History of Medicine: Ancient Ideas
James McConnell
GCSE History – Social Impact of the Nazi State in 1945
Ben C
Conferences of the Cold War
Alina A
Bay of Pigs Invasion : April 1961
Alina A
The Berlin Crisis
Alina A
Using GoConqr to study History
Sarah Egan
Germany 1918-39
Cam Burke
History- Medicine through time key figures
gemma.bell
The Weimar Republic, 1919-1929
shann.w
Browse Library